Category Physics

In the long-range backscatter system developed by UW researchers, this sensor allows devices that run on extremely low power for the first time to communicate over long distances.. Credit: Dennis Wise/University of Washington

University of Washington researchers have demonstrated for the first time that devices that run on almost zero power can transmit data across distances of up to 2.8 km—breaking a long-held barrier and potentially enabling a vast array of interconnected devices. Eg, flexible electronics. But today’s flexible electronics and other sensors that can’t employ bulky batteries and need to operate with very low power typically can’t communicate with other devices more than a few feet or meters away...

This image shows a self-reconfiguring modular robots scheme. Credit: Iridia Lab ULB

Self-reconfiguring modular robots that can merge, split and even self-heal while retaining full sensorimotor control. Researchers at the Université libre de Bruxelles have developed self-reconfiguring modular robots that can merge, split and even self-heal while retaining full sensorimotor control. The work may take us closer to producing robots that can autonomously change their size, shape and function. The study is published in the scientific review Nature Communications.

Many robots are controlled by robotic nervous systems in which sensors and actuators are connected to a central processing unit...

1. (Schematic diagram of mushroom-shaped structure fabrication)
2. SEM image of mushroom-shaped structure
3. Image of superomniphobic property of different types of liquid

Scientists have developed a fabrication technology that can inexpensively produce surfaces capable of repelling liquids, including water and oil. The team used the photofluidization of azobenzene molecule-containing polymers to generate a superomniphobic surface which can be applied for developing stain-free fabrics, non-biofouling medical tubing, and corrosion-free surfaces. Mushroom-shaped surface textures, also called doubly re-entrant structures, are known to be the most effective surface structure that enhances resistance against liquid invasion, thereby exhibiting superior superomniphobic property.

However, the exist...

Electrotunable nanoplasmonic liquid mirror. Nature Materials, 2017; DOI: 10.1038/nmat4969

By finely tuning the distance between nanoparticles in a single layer, researchers have made a filter that can change between a mirror and a window. The development could help scientists create special materials whose optical properties can be changed in real time. These materials could then be used for applications from tuneable optical filters to miniature chemical sensors. Creating a ‘tuneable’ material has been a challenge because of the tiny scales involved. In order to tune the optical properties of a single layer of nanoparticles – which are only tens of nanometres in size each – the space between them needs to be set precisely and uniformly.

To form the layer, the team from Imperial College Lo...